Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1887-11-04
JACKS REFORMATION.
IA Woman That 'ud Fight for Him
Worth Treatin' White"


an with his wife, too, fur that mat
ter"
The speaker was man apparently
sixty years of age, but his tall sinewy
form stood erect, and, Notwithstanding
his gray hairs, it was plain to the cas-
ual observer that old jim Ganoy was
good for several years yet.
1t was at the close of an autumn day,
when party who had been working
the "big-road" halted for roll-call.
The road stretched itself out for sew
eral miles over flint hills, along pic
turesque valleys, and across streams
that were innocent of all bridges, other
than the primitive foot-log. Twice
every year old Jim Ganey called upon
all able-bodied citizens of Heelstring
district, between the ages of twenty
one and fifty years, to work the road.
And such road working it was! There
was no turnpike TO keep in condition.
There was no road-taN, except such as
old Jim levied in the form of labor
upon the sturdy natives At seven
O'Clock in the morning all hands as
sembled Mt the point where the road
crossed the district line Some brought
picks, others axes, still others scythes,
spadesi in fact what ever happened to
be the handiest when they left home, or
would be the easiest handled during
the day. Every man supplied his own
tools and used them to suit himself.
During the day the entire body
marched over the eight miles of road.
Occasionally Ganey would point out
stump or large stone, which he de-
sired removed, and there was n no.
ticeable increase in his interest in Off
cial duties when they came in the vicin-
ity OF his own home; but usually the
men were left to make their own sclec-
tion of work. Some. who had brought
no tools, confined themselves to throw
ing out loose stones; Others occasional
ly cut three notches on convenient
trees at the roadside, with never n
thought of the royal origin of the Gus
tom, Some of the men even brought
horses along and rode the greater por-
ton of the way, but contrived to claim
their attendance.
1t was after the roll had been called,
that the party fell to discussing jack
Hardness, the only absentee. 1t was
clear case of being conspicuous by
his absence. and Jacks family affairs
were weighed in the balance of Heel
string public opinion, and found woe
fully wanting.
''What is the matter with Harknessp"
asked Dick Archer, u "new conner"
who had recently arrived from the
'Western Reserve
IVY I'll tell ye!" exclaimed Abe
Thorn. HE come over here from n
Jinin' county, an bought piece of
land down on Beavco creek; but he
hain't no manner account. He won't
half work; he drinks the worst article
of cross-holler licker he can skier up;
he won't work the road, an he licks
his woman"
when she don't clean him up,"
suggested Ganey; 'for I've hearn that
the old woman amt no slouch in these
here family misunderstandi rs; Dut
then there wouldn't be any ,ning in
that" And the old man shook his
head doubtfully.
"Well, ef we'd regelate him little,
think the old woman would reeelate
'erself, " said Bill Hankins. "I'm in
favor of givin' any feller that whoops
his woman dose of his own medi-
cine"
Before the war;" said Ganey, 1--WE
us't to take hand in sich matters, an
jest after, when things was kinder on
settledi but | tell ye this here thing o.
takin' the law into our own hands, is
mighty onsartin-mighty onsartin."
81 move this mectin' come to order
to consider Harkness's case" suggest
ed Thorn.
You hear the notion" said the old
man, "All in favor say aye"
There was a rousing response.
"All opposed had better git up an
dust. an keep their mouths shet be-
Iides." After n pause, during which
nobody "dusted," Ganey added: ~ APP
p'nt myself cha rman. Gentlemen You
will sit down."
The men scattered themselves over
fallen trees, stumps and stones, a few
crouching down upon the ground.
Bill Hankins first took the floor-or
presented the entire sub
ject in manner that called forth the
admiration of all Heeistring; for Bill
was considered fright smart talker."
He recited the history OF Harkness
from beginning to end, and dwelt
strongly upon the fact that he had re-
peatedly whipped his wife, who bore
sears in evidence thereof. He conclu-
ded with proposition to call on the
subject in body, and take him out
and give him "gcnteel thrashin'."
Abe Thorn followed in the same
vein, endorsing Bill's proposition
warmly. Then there was long
pause. For it is noticeable fact that
however free men may be in inform
ally expressing their views, the mo-
ment they are thrust into an organized
public meeting, the majority are over
awed, become nervous, and, in n meas
ure, lnose their power of speech. This
was especially true Of the Heelstring-
trs.
Lies hear from Mister Archer" sug-
gested tho chairman.
Archer had been in the Heelstring
district but few months, and, not yet
being subject to road-tax, had been
as substitute for neighbor.
This phase of life was something new ,
10 him. and he scarcely knew what to